The Year in Trump: Memorable Moments From the President's First Year in Office

Donald Trump campaigned on the promise that he would be unlike his predecessors. His first year proved that, although not always in the way he meant.

Throughout the first 12 months of his Administration, Trump broke norms about presidential behavior, ranging from feuding with a military widow to reducing the size of a national monument.

He achieved some substantive goals, including passing a major tax cut and appointing Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch. But he also failed to make good on some promises, such as repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act and building a wall on the border with Mexico. To his consternation, investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 election continue under special prosecutor Robert Mueller.

Jan. 20, 2017: Inauguration

Donald J. Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, pledging to put “America First” in his inaugural address. “The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer,” he says.

Jan. 28, 2017: Hanging up on Australia, hiring Bannon

Trump adds chief strategist Steve Bannon to the National Security Council’s principals committee. The move is considered unusual because political strategists have not served on the committee previously.

May 8, 2017: Two scoops

May 9, 2017: Firing Comey

Trump fires Comey, arguing that he mishandled the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s private email server and alleging that he told Trump he was not under investigation.

May 10, 2017: Russia meeting

Trump meets with the Russian Foreign Minister Ambassador to the U.S. in the Oval Office, reportedly revealing highly classified information, calling Comey “a real nut job” and criticizing the FBI investigation. “I faced great pressure because of Russia,” he says. “That’s taken off.”

May 12, 2017: Comey tapes

Trump tweets that Comey “better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations” before leaking to the press. “Lordy, I hope there are tapes,” Comey later tells a Senate committee. More than a month later, Trump admits he does not have any tapes.

James Comey better hope that there are no "tapes" of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!

May 16, 2017: Comey memo

Because of the tweets, Comey sends a copy of memo he wrote about his meeting with Trump in the Oval Office to a law professor who is a friend, authorizing him to leak its contents to reporters. The New York Times promptly publishes a story.

May 17, 2017: Mueller appointment

President Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi put their hands on an illuminated globe during the inauguration ceremony of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology on May 21, 2017.

Bandar Algaloud/Saudi Royal Council/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

May 20, 2017: The orb

During a visit to Riyadh, Trump, the king of Saudi Arabia and the president of Egypt pose for a photo while touching a glowing orb.

Oct. 8, 2017: ‘World War III’

Republican Sen. Bob Corker, the powerful chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, says Trump is treating the White House like “a reality show” and acting so recklessly he could set the nation “on the path to World War III.”

Oct. 16, 2017: Widow feud

Trump calls the widow of Sgt. La David T. Johnson, who was killed in an ambush in Niger, saying he “knew what he signed up for,” sparking several days of controversy.

Democrat Congresswoman totally fabricated what I said to the wife of a soldier who died in action (and I have proof). Sad!

Nov. 2, 2017: Twitter deactivation

President Donald Trump chats with Russia's President Vladimir Putin as they attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting on Nov. 11, 2017.

Mikhail Klimentyev—AFP/Getty Images

Nov. 3, 2017: Asian tour

Trump leaves the U.S. for a 12-day tour of five Asian countries, where he talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of an APEC meeting. “He said he absolutely did not meddle in our election,” he tells reporters later.

When will all the haters and fools out there realize that having a good relationship with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing. There always playing politics – bad for our country. I want to solve North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, terrorism, and Russia can greatly help!

Dec. 12, 2017: Jones wins

Former federal prosecutor Doug Jones defeats Moore in the Alabama special election, becoming the first Democratic senator from the state in 25 years.

President Donald Trump signs the Tax Cut and Reform Bill in the Oval Office at The White House on Dec. 22, 2017.

Brendan Smialowski—AFP/Getty Images

Dec. 22, 2017: Signing tax cut

Trump signs a $1.5 trillion tax cut into law, the first major tax overhaul in decades, saying he rushed the signing in order to fulfill a promise to pass a tax cut by Christmas.

Jan. 3, 2018: Blasting Bannon

Trump blasts Bannon after he is quoted calling the 2016 Trump Tower meeting with a Russian attorney “treasonous” and criticizing Donald Trump Jr. in excerpts from a book. “When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind,” the president says in an official statement.

Michael Wolff is a total loser who made up stories in order to sell this really boring and untruthful book. He used Sloppy Steve Bannon, who cried when he got fired and begged for his job. Now Sloppy Steve has been dumped like a dog by almost everyone. Too bad! https://t.co/mEeUhk5ZV9

Jan. 10, 2018: ‘No collusion’

Amid reports that his lawyers were preparing for a request from Mueller to interview the president, Trump says he probably won’t because there was “no collusion.” “It seems unlikely you’d even have an interview,” he says.